Bakersfield CA vs Baton Rouge LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 223,699 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 36.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 51.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 6.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $49,944 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $33,415 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 9.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 25.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 35.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
46.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.9% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.0% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.7% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 64.8 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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